Grants For Libraries - New Jersey State Library

Through its Funding Information Center and Library Support Services unit, the New Jersey State Library provides funding and grant information to New Jersey’s librarians and other library staff.

Funding Information Center

The Funding Information Center at the State Library is a Funding Information Network (FIN) partner with Candid, formerly the Foundation Center. The Funding Information Center maintains an extensive collection of print and online materials on grants, foundations, proposal writing, and nonprofit management. Located on Level Four of the State Library, the Funding Information Center provides access to the premier database about grants and grantmakers, Foundation Directory Online Professional, periodicals such as the Chronicle of Philanthropy, and books such as The ALA Book of Library Grant Money. (Four other public libraries in New Jersey are also Funding Information Network locations: Elizabeth Public Library, Montclair Public Library, Red Bank Public Library, and Somerset County Library System (Hillsborough Branch). Still other public libraries, such as Burlington County Library System, provide in-house subscription access to Foundation Directory Online.) The Grant Information LibGuide on the State Library website provides a wealth of funding-related information, including links to grants.gov, the portal to finding and applying for Federal grants, and to the websites of professional associations offering grant proposal writing tips.

Library Support Services

The State Library’s Grants Manager, as a staff member of the Library Support Services unit, researches and shares information about government, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities offered for library projects through the Grants for Libraries Blog published on the State Library website, and through NJSL Direct, the State Library’s e-newsletter for the field. The Grants Manager also shares information about competitive grants offered by the New Jersey State Library on this “Grants for Libraries” page of the State Library website.

For information concerning the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, please see its own special section of our website.

Grantmakers include government agencies, corporations and foundations.

Federal Aid

LSTA: The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) is the only federal program exclusively for libraries. The LSTA Grants to States program is administered by the Institute of Museum and Libraries Services (IMLS) and funds are distributed to State Library Administrative Agencies to support statewide initiatives and to provide local support through subgrants or cooperative agreements. There is a requirement for a state match, which helps stimulate approximately three to four dollars for every federal dollar invested.
- See this page for information about LSTA and the New Jersey State Library.
- You can read the New Jersey State Library Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five-Year Plan and learn about the LSTA Advisory Council, an optional advisory group for the State Librarian per the Grants to States Program.
- As funding allows, LSTA subgrant opportunities will be featured on this “Grants for Libraries” page of the New Jersey State Library website.
- Information regarding Federal grants administration (especially relating to allowable costs) may be found in the Uniform Guidance.
IMLS competitive grants: The Institute of Museum and Library Services also administers a competitive discretionary grant program for libraries. Check their website for current opportunities.
NEH: The National Endowment for the Humanities has numerous collections preservation and access and program grants available for libraries.
Other Federal sources: Check grants.gov for the latest opportunities across Federal agencies.

State Aid

The Per Capita State Aid program is the largest public library grant program administered by the New Jersey State Library and is the foundation of state support for public libraries.
When funding allows, the New Jersey State Library is also authorized by N.J.A.C. 15:21 to administer additional grant programs beyond Per Capital State Aid. When available, such opportunities will be featured on this “Grants for Libraries” page of the New Jersey State Library website.
Other New Jersey state agencies and statewide divisions of Federal agencies may offer grant opportunities for libraries. See the New Jersey Historical Commission, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Corporate and Foundation Support

Businesses in a local library community may offer competitive grant opportunities or may choose to sponsor special programs and events. Families and corporations with strong community connections may also offer funding opportunities through private foundations.

Check the “Private Grants Information” section of the New Jersey State Library’s LibGuide on Grant Information.
Utilize the free data tool, Visualizing Funding for Libraries
Check this list of grantmaking foundations that may have opportunities of interest to libraries.
Applying for Foundation and Corporate Grants provides some basic information about approaching foundations and corporations.

Preparing Grant Applications

Check this short list of websites which provide some guidance for writing proposals.